Jack Hayward High launches website
By Deborah Isaacs, Freeport News Reporter
Saturday, 2nd February, 2002

PROUD MOMENT: "I'm so very proud that the wonderful school that bears my name has taken this giant step into the 21st Century," said Sir Jack Hayward about the recent establishment of the Jack Hayward High School website. He added, "I applaud all who worked so hard to achieve this reality." Pictured from left, observing the school's website on the big screen are: Education Minister Dion Foulkes, Remington Wilchcombe, the computer technician, Frances Singer-Hayward, Javon Edgecombe and Head Girl Alexandria Stewart. (photo by Vandyke Hepburn)

With the click of a mouse, the Jack Hayward high school web page was proudly displayed on a large screen for public officials, the press, faculty, and invited guests, and the whole world to see - as they joined the world wide web community.

Jack Hayward High School officially launched their new website, www.jackhaywardhighschool.org, yesterday when they "logged on" to the Internet at a ceremony held at the entrance of the school.

Principal Hezekiah Dean said this event marks another milestone in contemporary events at Jack Hayward. Students will now have quick and easy access to class work, homework, and current information online, which Principal Hezekiah Dean says will give them a "significant advantage."

The project was spearheaded by the school's patron Frances Singer-Hayward who said the website is still a work in progress. Currently, information about the school and it's background history is online. However, within the next few months, Mrs. Hayward promised the site will also be interactive, with total participation of the students.

"It's been an exciting project, but it has only just begun," she said.

The Minister of Education, Dion Foulkes also attended the occasion and gave remarks. He said the rapid explosion of computer technology has changed our world and has become and integral part of our lives. "They (computers) have become so integrated into our daily lives that our society would surely collapse without them," he said.

He added that the advent of computers has also facilitated globalization, which connect us to the world. This, he noted, will show young Bahamians they have much in common with the youth of other nations. "This website will bring you in touch with the world," Foulkes told Jack Hayward students.

"Not one of us knows who will visit this site and what impressions they will form, that is why teachers, students and administrators must be certain that it is attractive, informative and easily navigated," he said.

He asked them to ensure that the website will be representative of their school and country.

"We are officially on the world map - a whole new world opens up to us," Frances Hayward proclaimed and "although we are the first school in Grand Bahama, I hope we are merely the first of many. We don't want to be alone on the Internet."